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The bill will come into force within three years after it is signed by President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Published on September 1, 2024 10:40 am
Reading time: 1 min
A demonstration calling for a ban on the dog meat trade on January 9, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (JUNG YEON-JE / AFP)
South Korea's parliament passed a law banning the dog meat trade on Tuesday, January 9th. This is a historic turning point in this country, where there are still many farms that animal rights activists are fighting against. The South Korean National Assembly adopted the text with 208 votes in favor, two abstentions and no votes against.
It will take effect within three years after being signed into law by President Yoon Suk-yeol. Breeding, selling and slaughtering dogs for consumption is then punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of 30 million won (20,800 euros).
Compensation for dog farms
South Korea already has an animal protection law. However, this only prohibits the cruel slaughter of dogs and cats without banning their consumption. However, this proportion has declined sharply in recent years as more and more South Koreans adopt pets. In a survey released Monday by think tank Animal Welfare Awareness, Research and Education, 94% of residents said they had not eaten dog meat in the past year and 93% said they would not eat it in the future, the reports Guardian.
The bill passed on Tuesday also provides for compensation so that companies can withdraw from this industry. According to official figures, around 1,100 farms breed hundreds of thousands of dogs every year, whose meat is served in restaurants.
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